Any advice?

[Ianofsmeg16]

My fellow orgahs

i need advice. I've been singing in a band now for about 6 weeks and considering i've never sung this way before, and our drummer started learning a week before the band formed, i think we've gotten pretty good.

This is, we havn't played a show yet. Until now.

My first gig's on sunday and i'm absolutly terrified. Is there any advice anyone can offer me?

thanks alot

[InsaneApache]

Don't drink alcohol.

[CountArach]

Don't drink alcohol.

Stay in school.

[Gregoshi]

What kind of a gig is it Ian? Who's the audience? Are they paying to see you perform or is it part of a bigger event?

[Devastatin Dave]

Wear a kilt, you can't go wrong there. Get blitzed and make sure you on just before you peak.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

My fellow orgahs

i need advice. I've been singing in a band now for about 6 weeks and considering i've never sung this way before, and our drummer started learning a week before the band formed, i think we've gotten pretty good.

This is, we havn't played a show yet. Until now.

My first gig's on sunday and i'm absolutly terrified. Is there any advice anyone can offer me?

thanks alot

Don't think of it as a job or anything like that. Think of it as fun and just have fun. It's all mental and you have to get into the right mindset for things like this.

[Warmaster Horus]

Be natural. You know your part, you've probably done it more than a dozen times, so you will be okay. You should see, after the first song, you'll be less stressed.

[doc_bean]

Start by anouncing you're doing a cover of a Justin Timberlake song, let everybody ram their instruments whichever way hey want (if they aren't tuned yet, this can happen now, just make sure the amps are at 11) and scream *I AM SEXY !!* about half a dozen times, possibly add profanity.

After that they'll love anything you'll do.

[Ianofsmeg16]

What kind of a gig is it Ian? Who's the audience? Are they paying to see you perform or is it part of a bigger event?

its basically at the town fair...but all my friends are gonna be there, plus a few adults etc...we're one of two bands playing, the other one being a jazz band.

Thanks alot for all your advice we're having a last ditch band practise to get everything perfect...but Alexander and Warmaster i think you're right and thanks. I just need to concentrate on having fun and remembering my part..we've played them often enough!

[Lorenzo_H]

I might see you tommorrow, if it's the Castletown fair. I drive through it basically every Sunday. Where is it?

[Bijo]

Is there any advice anyone can offer me?

Be cool.

[Gregoshi]

Ian, it sounds like you will have a semi-friendly crowd, which is good. And since it is part of a larger event, if people don't like what you are doing, they can wander off to do something else. That is better than having them pay to see just you - their expection would be higher in that case.

Also, I'll tell you what I tell my daughter before she performs: don't hold back - give it your all. Don't worry about how you will look or sound or what the audience will think. Perform the way you want and the way you feel comfortable. If you hold back for fear of looking stupid or silly, you will perform timidly and the audience can sense that. Give it all you have and, as the others said, have fun.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

its basically at the town fair...but all my friends are gonna be there, plus a few adults etc...we're one of two bands playing, the other one being a jazz band.

Thanks alot for all your advice we're having a last ditch band practise to get everything perfect...but Alexander and Warmaster i think you're right and thanks. I just need to concentrate on having fun and remembering my part..we've played them often enough!

Yeah, you'll do fine, no worries.

[InsaneApache]

Be prepared for the half an hour before you go on stage to be stomach churning. When I said don't drink alcohol, I meant it. In that state, with the adrenaline pumping, just a pint will knock you sideways.

When I used to gig, I took a bit of advice from Elvis Costello (who we were supporting), he used to play pool for an hour or so before going onstage. Keeps your mind busy.

Oh, and don't skimp on the sound check.

HF and GL.

[Ianofsmeg16]

I might see you tommorrow, if it's the Castletown fair. I drive through it basically every Sunday. Where is it?

Yeh its at Pulsom Park...I'm on a 1:15pm, so if you wanna take a look then you're very welcome to...i'd like to have somebody on these boards with an opinion on how i was

Gregoshi, that's really good advice thanks alot...Some of the songs i'm doing do require a 'give it your all' attitude...in fact, i think all of them do. So i'll be thinking of you're advice when i go on stage =D

Insane Apache, yeh i'm steering clear of all alcoholic substances...no matter how hard that may be ...as for stomach chruning, well its already going full speed now just thinking about it

once again thanks alot guy..this is why i love the org

[Caius]

As the others stated before, do your part.Concentrate in your business, and dont let others interrupt your concentration.

Imagine that you are with your band alone. Forget the public!

[Dutch_guy]

Can't really add to the great advice already given, chill out with your friends before the actual gig and give it your best.

Really, if you've all practiced and you feel you can do it - then you can, just enjoy the experience.

[CountArach]

Good luck!

[Lorenzo_H]

Sorry Ian, it's now quarter to 2; I missed you. I didn't have time to stop.

[naut]

How'd it go?

[Ianofsmeg16]

How'd it go?

Not to shabby actually..

a few hiccups...mainly;
1)the PA system we used was rubbish, and didnt have a mixer, so we had to play by guessing what was loudest
2)due to the pa system (and a bit of nervousness on my part) my voice sounded flat at times...especially playing The calling "wherever you will go"..where i really had to strain to get my words out
3)our lead guitarist needs to focus more on doing the free bird solo...and not prancing about stage...

oh and 4)remove all annoying, arrogant, posh s out of the audience

but other than that i think we did well, we've got a month to practise for our next gig, and to save up for better equipment so all should be well. Our reviews were really good (apart from said arrogant people) and it seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves..i even engaged the audience in a rousing chorus of "if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands" (long story)

thanks so much for your advice guy i really appreciate it

[Gregoshi]

That's great Ian! Congratulations. I'd really like to hear the story about how you go from Freebird to If You're Happy and You Know It.

BTW, ignore the jerks. You could be the greatest band on Earth and there will always be a few of 'em. They aren't worth the time of day.

[Gregoshi]

Oh, also, did any of your family or friends get pictures? If so, post 'em!

[Ianofsmeg16]

Greg thanks alot well..our set list went like this;
1)Wild Thing - We learnt this song yesterday XD, but was arguably our best song...we opened by our lead guitarist playing the opening (most famous) bit from voodoo child...and when it got heavy, we went into wild thing rather smoothly...to great applause.
I then introduced the band, member by member...
2) Run by Snow Patrol - i enjoyed this song but the solo in it you couldnt hear because the amp was too damn quiet
...Then during an interlude one of my friends shouted "Play Slayer!!!", i replied that we didnt do too heavy stuff...so he said "play something softer then!"
so i sung if you're happy and you know it XD
the last two songs...Wherever you will go by the calling, and Free bird...were a bit of a dissapointment, not only did my voice strain...but it was during the freebird solo that our guitarist was jumping all over the place and not concentrating on doing his job..


My dad took some pictures, once i get them i'll post em up
thanks alot

[InsaneApache]

Oh, and don't skimp on the sound check.

I told you.

Well done lad, no longer a gig-virgin. It takes some intestinal fortitude to 'go up there' and do it. Well done you.

How about a recording of your next gig for the .Org?

[doc_bean]

Glad you made it through ! Good thing you didn't need my advice to get going !

[Lorenzo_H]

Ian let me know when the next gig is I'll try and pop round.

[Ianofsmeg16]

Theyre a bit big...i've put spoilers around them

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Immigration rocking out

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

and yours truly...giving it beans

[doc_bean]

Got any sound clips ?

[Gregoshi]

...Then during an interlude one of my friends shouted "Play Slayer!!!", i replied that we didnt do too heavy stuff...so he said "play something softer then!"
so i sung if you're happy and you know it XD

That was a brilliant comeback Ian.

I look forward to seeing the pictures.